The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-18
"A Succinct Reststement Of the Epi.
sodes OF the Memorable
Tragedy.
ITS RELATION TO THE BRUTAL
CONVICT LEASE SYSTEM.
Interviews With Prominent Citizens
OF Jackson, Who Say II
Must 90.
GOV. LOWRY, F02 fRR PIkST
TINE, SPEAKS.
State Oncers Who Are OblIvious 10
the Existence ola Ring-rhe
Whole Case Set Forth.

~ IN.
JACKSON MISS, July 17.-More than
three months have elslss since
koderick Dhu Gambrell, the bril-.
liant and fearless young editor Of
the Sword and Shield, was shot,
Killed and his brains almost
battered out by Jonas s. Hamilton, q
prominent citizsn Of Jackson, and
State Senator from the county Of
Kinds. But the intensity Of public
feeling aud the bitter demonstrate
which followed the announcement Of
the frightiul tragedy, has not in the
least sbAted. On the other hand Il
has grown into white heat, excessive
In degree to the sultrinsss Of the days
which have heightened into midsum.
mer, since that calm, but fatal night
in May, when the young editor bound.
cd from the train after brief visit to
neighborlns village, and was speed
Ing his way home when overtsken BY
Hamilton, who ives driving In his
wagonette with one OF his
henchmsn named Eubanks, at
the west entrance OF the iron
bridge, which spans the dry creek,
and connects the main avenue OF the
capital city. The true story Of the
death encounter. which there took
place will perhaps never be known,
only 30 far as II can be extracted from
the conflicting stories Ct Hamilton and
bis attendants, two Of whom are held
90 conspiratore In the horrible
murder. Gambrell, riddled with
death des!ing lead and his skull crush.
ed by the heavy pistol butt in the
hands Of his murderous adysrsAry.
yainly attempted TO mutter the true
fact 90 to who made the attack fret,
but his bright intellect had been bat.
tered away aud the strength OF life
flowed rapidly out with the blood
which rushed from every vein through
the gaping wounds Of bis manly form
during the brief period OF his intense
agony, which could not be ended too
soon by death.
No murder in the history OF the
State, not q selected score from the
many which disgrace its annals, have
ever elected such general attention,
been 90 eagerly discussed and 90 ayow.
edly denounced. A vast majority Of
the people throughout the State have
nten ss oce man In wholesome rebuke
vi what they diem the iouleet chine
ever perpetrated within lie confines.
The agitation and demand that the
blood Of the murdered boy be avenged
70 the fullest extremity oil the Law has
assumed gigantic proportions, and will
not be ettuaged with anything lees
than lie righteous execution. The
whole State IL in chaotic turmoil over
the unfortunate stair. Former friends
have become bilterest enemies, and
family ties have been severed, brother
estrsosed from brother, In the discus-
sion OF The inertia and dement's OF the
csse. For II Ia no. 10 be taken that
Hamilton is without friends, and even
while they are greatly In the minority
they are rome the lees devoted and
stsunch. He is q man calculated 10
make finds IN hold them.
AZ WIS natural 10 suppose his clos.
eet adhererts ere 10 be found In Jack.
son, where he has 20 lopg lived In
sfiiuente and spent with freedom the
wesllh that flowed into bis Golfers
from the sweat and blood Of the
hundreds OF convicts whose penal
serviiude he bought from the State
for q mere pittsnce In return.
Tue APPKAL, along with other
papers, has discussed this case and
presented the facts OF II ~ they got
them 10 their readers. There has
been much personal and newspaper
comment on the various phases OF this
diaboliosl murder. But on two facts
all are agreed. Fint, that Roderick
Gambrall was shot and killed on q
public street In the city OF Jackson on
the night Of May 9Th, and second that
the murder was committed by JONAS
8. Hamilton.
CAUSE on THE KILLING.
Nov then. the natural inquiry IL,
why did Hamilton kill Gambrell'
What were the underlying causes that
prompted him 10 do the deed7 The
feud may be said 10 have had liz
origin a. far bsck a. 1885, when Gov.
Lowry was q candidate for renomins-
ton. The Lancet, small
paper published In Jackson, by q man
nsm'd Fairman, prior 10 the holding
ofthe nominating convention, charged
the Governor with gross sgulariiiee
In the management OF the penltenti.
airy, holdins him responsible for the
Irregularities. Hsmilton, Allen & Co.
we're the lessees Of the penitentiary.
Hsmilton at once came to the q
ernor'e retcue with an affidavit, and
no did the ex.Attorney General. 7.
O. Caichipgs, now member OF
Congress, Gen. Writ Adams and
otherp, With statements a. 20 the
falsity OF the charges In the Lancet.
Under tuch weiRhty testimony the
charges fell 10 the ground. Gov.
Lowrv was renomlnated and rs-eleo,.
cd. The Sword and Shield wa, then
published st Clinton, Mlu
Young Gambrell, during the
campaign, had aTdently supported the
Governor, having full ilith In the de.
mails furnished by Hamilton, et al.
The Governor, 10 his address 10 the
Legislature In the winter Of 1885, In
speaking OF the Affairs Of the peniten.
tiary, showed that the denials Of Ham.
ilton aud his friends were false and
that, In fact, Hamilton a 90. were
largely Indebted 10 the State. The
Governors statement was undoubted-
ly true. and most startling In view
Of the facts contained In the denials
OF which he had been the bene fciary.
In the msautime the Sword and
Shield had moved lie Office 70 Jack.
son. The paper, from Us birth, was q
Prohibition journal; In fact, that
was lie chief aim, while II
devoted considerable Of its space
70 pointing out abuses In the i'd
ninissraiion Of the Stste sovsrnmsns.